The Meghalaya government approved the proposal to acquire additional land for expansion of the two airports in the state Shillong and Baljek Airport, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said after a Cabinet meeting.

The state Cabinet, chaired by the Chief Minister also decided to seek necessary permission from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) following the latest survey report which indicates the possibility of expansion of the Shillong Airport for operating bigger aircraft.

The Baljek Airport in the West Garo Hills district is currently non-functional. The Chief Minister said that the Transport Department has given a detailed presentation on its survey conducted along with the Airport Authority of India (AAI).

Sangma said that the survey suggested that the Shillong airport could be expanded and then it would facilitate the operation of A320 and Boeing 373 aircraft.

The runway of the Shillong airport, which is 30 km away from the capital city, can now handle only smaller aircraft like ATR.

The survey report said that Shillong Airport's runway can be expanded by 571 meters with a cost of Rs 100 crore to ensure bigger aircraft to operate.